Stenciling apparatus



H. R. FARWELL STENCILING APPARATUS Dec. 5, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed OGb. 7, 1946 Dec. 5, 1950 H. R. FARWELL STENCILING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed oct. 7', 194e wwf @E R@ M, w w m A l Vf a ma 2 3 5 MQ w, w. m .d H 5, 2 u m o &\\\ M (Wm. l\\\4H @m1 S` |l G W. w Nv f/MHHJJHA n m @Q uw El eA. N QQ NN u ^mv%\lj :4. R NQ# .f/f um Iva m www@ w v, w W 9 o uw. .w l D@ w.

Patented Dec. 5, 1950 UNITED STATESV PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims. l

This invention relates to a stenciling apparatus, and more particularly, to a st'enciling apparatus in which a plurality of stencil frames supporting single-character stencils are so disposed that they may be readily utilized to stencil individually a plurality of characters on a desired object, to conform to any desired copy made up of such characters.

This invention is particularly applicable to the screen printing process, which is a widely used specialized form of stenciling. In the usual screen printing process, a stencil is prepared of the entire copy to be printed, on any particular object, such as a sign. This procedure is satisfactory where a large number oi objects with identical copy are to be printed.

However, where it is desired to stencil a large number of objects, each with different copy, the silk screen method has heretofore been unsatisfactory, because of the necessity of preparing a separate over-al1 stencil for each object.

Nevertheless, it would be highly advantageous to be able to utilize the silk screen type of stencil in such printing operations, since the nished product in a screen printing operation has many desirable qualities, such as uniformity of characters, long life, and the like.

It would be possible to use such stencils where the copy varies on each object stenciled, if each stencil were prepared to include only one character, so that each individual character in the desired copy could be stenciled separately in the proper sequence and alignment. To merely have a number of single-character stencils available for selection and use would not, however, be commercially feasible in most printing operations. To successively select each separate stencil frame and stencil from a rack, to align it on the object being stenciled, and then to perform the actual `stenciling operation, all entirely by hand, would be exceedingly cumbersome and time consuming,

, and would have very little advantage, if any, over a hand lettering process.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a stenciling apparatus, utilizing a plurality of single-character stencils, which provides a means of quickly and accurately stenciling individual characters in the proper order and alignment to conform to any desired copy on an object properly disposed thereon.

Itis a further object to provide a stenciling ap- 4paratus which has a movable printing base adapted to support an lobject to be stenciled, which base automatically moves the required distance between individual characters, as each stencil is moved out of contact with the object being stenciled.

` It is an additional object to provide a stenciling apparatus which utilizes a plurality of singlecharacter stencils which are normally disposed in spaced relation of a printing base, but which may be individually moved into contact with the object to be stenciled on the printing base, s0 that any desired combination of stenciled characters may readily be formed.

It is still another object to provide a stenciling apparatus in which all spacing between individual characters is produced automatically; in which the stencils and their supporting frames are easily and quickly removed for servicing or replacement; which is particularly adapted to the use of silk screen stencils which are very desirable for particular types of work; which is simple in construction and operation; which may be produced at a relatively low cost; which forms each character in a uniform and accurate manner; which can produce a volume of signs,for instance, each with diierent copy, at a fraction of the cost of printing them with type; and which can print at a much faster rate than normal hand lettering can be accomplished, and therefore at a much lower cost.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become evident as the description proceeds and from an examination of the accompanying drawings which illustrate one: embodiment of the invention and in which similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a stenciling apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in elevation, and partly in cross section, showing the stenciling base, the escapement mechanism, and the stencil frame supporting means in more detail;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view from above showing one of the stencil frames in aligned position; and, g

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view, in elevation and partly in cross section, looking toward the rear of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 and showing the printing base and escapement mechanism in more detail.

Referring now to Figure 1 the supporting frame IU which may be of any suitable table-like construction, has the two grooved guide rails I2 and I 4 supported thereon by the longitudinal cross Vtudinal cross bar ile.

bars It and i3. .The printing base Z has the supporting rollers 22 fixed thereto, the rollers being positioned to ride Within the groored guide rails l2 and iti and to allow the printing base 2Q to move longitudinally in a guided path within the limits of the stop 24 and the lateral cross bar 26. l

Rotatably supported above the printing base 23 and the guide rails l2 and llt are the stencil frames 23 which are disposed radially about the hub 3@ (Figure 2) and normally form a shallow, inverted cone. Fixed to the longitudinal cross bar i8 is the guide member 32, having the slot 34 therein. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, this slot is adapted to receive the outer end 2l of any one of the stencil frames 28 after it has been properly aligned with respect to the slot 34, and is depressed. The method of supporting the frames 28 is shown in4 detail in Figure 2. The wheel-like member 33 is rotatably disposed on the hollow shaft 38 which is in turn non-rotatably supported by the longi- The cross bar Il@ is supported by two right angle supports 82 secured to the rear of the supporting frame le, and the shaft 3? is secured to the cross bar l? by the nut The rod. is disposed within the hollow shaft 3 33, and. has the ange. 52 at its upper extremity which normally rests on Vthe hub 30. The lug 55. formed as an integral part ofv the flange 52 normally projects into the wedge shaped slot 56 in,

the hub. 35, the bottom of the lug being substantially flush with the bottom of the hub When the flange is resting onv the hub. The slot 53k iscentered about the axis of the slot 34 in the guide member which axis is perpendicular to the line ofY movement of the printing base 2t. in addition, the dimensions of the slot 59 are such that. one O f the inner ends 29 Q f the frames 28, which are nermally overlapped, by the hub will,l when properly aligned therewith, be received by tbatslet the slot 5,6 are aligned onY the same axis, when a- Vstencil frame Vis aligned With either 011 O the slots,` it will also be aligned with the other. This, ieii1111=.meane that when the inner enel 2S era particular frame is aligned with the slot the outer end 2l may be depressedsuiiciently to enter into the slot 3d, and thevinner end 2&3V will simultaneously enter into the slot 56, the stencil frame Y pivoting on theyoke A3 aboutthe rim 46. As the inner endES of one of the stencil frames is moved into the slot 53, the lug. 54 will be forced upward, which will in turn cause the flange 52and the rod Sie to move upwardly. To insure that the lug 54 does 'not get out of alignment with respect to the slot 5, the pin 5B is carried by the hub 3Q and extends, through an opening in the lange 52, allowing a vertical movementof the flange but no rotary movement.

Since thewheel member 36 is free to rotate about the shaft 44 when a complete set of stencil frames is insertedin place, asl describedl and as shownin Figure l, any oneof the stencilframes may be easily rotated into alignment with the slots 34 and. The c ompletewsetof frames will Consequently, since the slot 3d and i' stantially contiguous and there is sucient fric-f tion between the yokes 48 and the rim 44 of the wheel to cause both the stencil frames and the wheel to rotate together. Also, the inner ends of the stencil frames will rotate freely past the slct t when there is no downward pressure applied to their outer ends 2l, since the bottom surface of the lug 54 is normally llush with the bottom surface of the hub 3D. As shown in Figure 2, the. rim i4 andthe upper surface of the printing base 2t are in substantially the same plane, so that when one of the stencil frames is aligned as described and then depressed, the base of the outer end 21 of the stencil frame will be substantially ush with the upper surface of the printing base. The outer end 21 of each stencil fra-me has the, rectangular opening 32 therein across which is supported a stencil 64, preferably of the silk screen type. The stencil itself is disposed on the bottom surface of the stencil frame and, therefore, will be flush with the printing base orany` object supported thereon when the stencil frame is depressed as described above.

To aid in the operation of the apparatus, the stencil frames each have a reproduction Sl of the particular character which the attached stencil describes lxed thereon as shown inFigures 1 and 3. The desired stencils can be successively moved into stenciling position in an eicient and rapid manner, with the aid of these visible means of identifying the appropriate stencil frames.

As previously mentioned and as shown in Figure 2, the rod extends, throughV the hollow shaft 38 and projects beyond the end of the shaft 3.2 carrying the nut 4i. This endv of the rod has securedY thereto the socket member 65 adapted to cooperate with the forked member 3B which is carried by the arm le which is pivoted tdan extension '5.2, of the frame l as at i4. At the oppositeend thearm 'iii is linked to a second arm l5, by the link 1,8, the two arms being rotatably secured to the link '13` at 83 and B2, respectively.

The arm 1,6 is iixed to the dog-supporting member 845, which is, a, part of the escapement `mechanism which controls the position of' the 8d is pivotally mounted on one end ofk the supporting arm 85, asat 88. rIhe opposite end of the supporting arm Bdis secured to the support- -ing bar Sii which is, in turn, pivotally secured along one or its longitudinal edges to the frame i0, as at 92 and at AL control arm Se is also secured to the bar SEB as shown in Figures l and 4, and entends outl into operable position with respect to the operator of the apparatus.

The dog-supporting member S4 is L-shaped and carries one fixed dog S8 which is secured to the side ili of the supporting member 84, and projects beyondthe top of the side lil. Thedog m2 is pivotally secured at the inner corner H14 of *he L-shaped member 84 and normally is heid away from the side mi! by the Spring IDB and against. the stop I8. The. printing'base 2,53 .has the row of equally spaced teeth H0 securedrto the bottom surface in a line-parallel to the` line of movement of the base 2li. These teeth are placed directly above the dog-supporting member Stand positioned so that they will intercept the dog 62 when the rod 5i] and the various parts connected thereto are all in their normal, positions. This. is the position illusrotate as a unit since their'inner ends are sub- 75 trated in Figure 2. The spacingl between the teeth II 0 corresponds to the 'spacing desired between characters, and is adjusted to the size of the characters which are formed by the stencils.` These teeth |I0 and the series of cooperating members just described which culminates in the dogs 08 and |02 which are adapted to cooperate with the teeth ||0, form the escapement mechanism referred to above.

This escapement mechanism serves to automatically control the spacing of the printing base 20, lthe base being moved a predetermined distance between the alignment of each stencil. The motive power for moving the printing base 20 when the escapement mechanism is operated, is supplied by the weight and pulley arrangement shown in Figure 1. The weight H6 is suspended on the cable ||8 which travels over the pulley |20 and is secured to the left end of the printing base. This arrangement serves to urge the printing base toward the left end of the rails I2 and |4, and it will move in that direction unless held against such movement by the escapement mechanism. This movement of the base, of course, also serves to shift the object receiving the stenciling a predetermined distance in relation to the aligning slot 34 so that the various stencil frames and stencils are moved into contact with the object being stenciled at regularly spaced intervals.

With the outer ends of the stencil frames all in the normal raised position shown in Figure 1, and with the rod 50 therefor in the normal upraised position so that the flange 52 is ush against the hub 30, the dog-supporting member 04 is maintained in the position shown in Figure 2, so that one of the teeth H0 intercepts the movable dog |02 and carries it back against the side |00. The printing base 20 is thus normally maintained in a stationary position.

When the desired stencil frame is moved into alignment with the slot 34 and is then depressed so that the end 21 of the stencil frame enters into that slot and comes to rest against the object carried by the printing base, the stencil frame will pivot about the yoke 40 and the opposite end 29 of the frame will move upwardly into the slot 50 in the hub 30, carrying the lug 54 with it. This, in turn, will raise the flange 52, which will cause the rod 50 to rise within the shaft 38. This upward movement of the rod 50 will cause the arm to pivot upwardly about the point 14, and this movement will be transmitted through the link 18 to the arm 16 which is rigidly Xed to the dog-supporting member 84. arm 86, it will be tilted in a counterclockwise direction by an upward movement of the lower end of the arm 16.

Such a tilting movement of the member 84 will cause the dog |02 to disengage from the tooth However, prior to the time this disengagement becomes complete the stationary dog 90 has moved, with the tilting of the member 84, into engagement with the same tooth I I I. Consequently, the dog |02 is released and is immediately pulled back lagainst the stop |08, as shown in Figure 4, by the spring |06.

A'fter the desired character has been stenciled on the object carried by the printing base, by the use of the applicator ||2 (Figure 1) which norma'lly rests in the holder H4, the stencil frame vis released and returns to its normal position. As the frame is allowed to return to its normal position, its end 29 moves down, the flange 46 and the -rod 50 also move down, as does the arm Since this member is pivoted at 88 on the T0 and the lower end of arm 16, all of which causes the dog-supporting member 84 to tilt back to its original position. This movement of the member 84 causes the dog 98 to disengage from the tooth |I|, and also brings the dog |02 back into the line of the teeth ||0, although it is now out of position to intercept the tooth since it has been drawn back by the spring |00.

The printing base is, as mentioned above, at all times subjected to a pulling force from right to left (Figure 1) by the suspended weight IIB shown in Figure 1, and the cable ||8 and pulley |20 cooperating therewith. This force will, of course, tend to move -the printing base from right to left whenever it is not held stai tionary. Therefore, when the dog 98 is disengaged from the tooth Las described, the print-l ing base 20 will move from right to left until the tooth H3, which will engage the dog l |02 as the base so moves, brings that dog up against the side |00 of the dog-supporting base. The distance of this movement will normally be the distance between the corresponding faces of two adjacent teeth such as |I| and ||3. Such repeated movement of the base 20 and the corresponding spacing of the stenciled letters will take place as the various stencils desired are applied, until the base 20 comes to rest against the stop 24.

In order to allow the printing base to be returned to the starting position, it is necessary to have some means -of removing the dogs 08 and |02 from the line of movement of the teeth H0. This is accomplished in the embodiment of the invention illustrated by mounting the dog-supporting member 84 on the supporting arm 86 which is in turn mounted on the bar S0 which has its lower longitudinal edge pivotally mounted on the frame I0 of the apparatus. This arrangement allows the arm 86 and the member 84 to be moved downward at will, which will, of course, move the dogs 90 and |02 out of engagement with the teeth ||0. The bar 00 is normally held in a position which maintains the escapement mechanism in operating position by the spring member |22, shown in Figure 1, which is secured to the outerv end |20 of the control arm 206. The outer end |25 of the arm 86 is normally held against the stop |28 by this spring member ||2, but it may readily be moved in a downward direction by the operator to allow the printing base to be moved freely to whatever position is desired, either by hand, or by the suspended weight and pulley arrangement described.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure l also has incorporated therein the supporting stand |30 to hold a card or similar device containing the copy which is to be placed on the object to be stenciled. This stand may be conveniently placed on the pin 58. The rule |32 may alsobe mounted on the cross bar |8 to serve as a guide when aligning the object to be lstenciled on the printing base 20.

Also, as shown in Figure 4, a clamping means such as the steel clip |34 is desirable to hold the object being stenciled in place on the printing base during the stenciling operation. In Figure 1 a sign |30 made o1" sheet metal is shown in stenciling position on the printing base 20, being held in such position by the clip |34.

As is evident from the detailed discussion above, there are numerous advantages embodied in a stenciling apparatus incorporating this invention. The eXibility ofthe device is one of the most important, since almost any typeof copy maybe rapidly and easily stenciled on the desired' object. Since the stencil frames are merely fCtOllaHy held in P1306, hy may be Qllly removed for servicing or replacement, which also allows the ready insertion .of a completely different set Of stencils when desired.

vIn actual operation the, operator rst places the, material to be stenci1ed such as a sign, on the printing base. ,After properly adjusting the position of the material with reference to the marginal limits of the base with the aid, of the rule |32, the operator manually pushes the Printing baseinto the proper starting position, Using theA copy held by the supporting device |30 as a guide., the operator selects the stencil frame conta-iningthe nrst character to be stenciled, and the. circle of stencil frames `sinrounding the hllb 311` isA rotated until that. stencil frame is disposed directly. above the slot .34. This ,stencil frame is thenV pushed down into the slot 34 So that it rests on the material to be .stenciled, which is carried by the printing base.. This operation is carried out entirely with the left hand.

The operator then makes one stroke with the applicator 1,12, held in his right hand, across the stencil 64 which is stretched( across the bottom ofthe rectangular openings; in the stencil frame 28., and is now flush againstthe kobject being stenciled. The stencil frame is then immediately released, and Will automatically regain its normal position ,in the circle of stenciling frames. At the same time the prin-ting base will automati- .cally moveonev space to the leftJ -so that thematerial being stenciled is in the-proper position to receive the next character. continued, stenciling one character at a time until` the desired copy Vhas Ibeen transcribed onto materialVv held bythe printing base.

4The apparatus is ;so..,si rriple in operation that :theaverage operator .after a minimum amount of .experience is ordinarily capable `oi? lettering severall hundred signs, or the like, per day, even though each Vsign isv stenciled With different copy. Thenormalstenciling .rateoi an experienced p- Aerator has been found toY .be about :twenty-,live characters per minute. This rate of stenciling isf'muchfaster .than the usual rate ofhand lettering done with a brush, and consequently the .stencilingprocessis considerably less expensive.

,Another advantageof this apparatusoverhand lettering .is that each character :is stenciled in .a :completely uniform -mannenxwhich characteristic rnakesthe resul-tant product both more pleasing to the eye and more iwear resistant.

The drawings in the above discussima are not intended to represent the only possible form of thisiinyention Vin regard to `.the details of .construction Changes in form andzinthezproportion oparts, .as well asx-the. substitution of equivalents, are contemplated, .as circumstances. may suggest or render Vexpedient 'Without departing .from the :spirit or scope .of this invention.

I claim:

fl. A ysteriel-ling apparatus `corri-praising a supporting ira-meta stenoiling ibase Vmoi/.ably disposed on said supporting frame, said stenciling hase .being to support an object to be stenCiled, shaft .disposed on said frame, a hub member disposed on one end of said shaft, a radial slot jin 'said h-.ub member, A.a Wheel-like member rotatably disposed on s aid shaift in :spaced/relation to said hub member, and a plu.- ira f of stencil frames disposed. radiallyv ,about saidflnub member, said vhub member onerlapping :the-innery Aends` .o f said stencil-frames, said sten- T-hiS procedure is S .cil .trames being pivotally disposed the perisbf eral edge of said wheelflilse member and beine rotatable therewith about said hub member, said shaft and Said radial slet in Said hub member beine so positioned in relation to said Stenciling base that said Stencil frames may be mOi/ed individually into contact With an objectv supported by saidv stericilingl base when properly aligned with Said base- 2; A stenciling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a stenciling base movably dise posed on said supporting frame, said stenciling base being adapted to support an object to be stenciled, shaft disposed on said frame, a hub member disposed on one end of said shaft, a radial slot in said hub member, a Wheel-,like .member rotatably disposed on Said .Shaft in spaced Vrelation to Ysaid hub member, a plurality of stencil frames disposed radially `about said hub meiner, said hub member overlapping the inner ends of said stencil frames, said stencil frames being pivotally disposed on the periph- .eral edele ei .said wheel-.like member .and being rotatable therewith about said hub member, said shaft and said radiali-slot in said hub member being so positioned in relation to said stenciling base that said stencil frames may be moved individually into Contact with an vvobject supported by said stenciling base when properly aligned with said base, and means actuated by any ystencil frame so moved adapted to change .the position ofrsaid` stenciling base as said stencil frames are released yfrom Contact with said object.

i ste-nciling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a stenciling base movably disposed on said Ysupporting frame, said stenciling basel beingradapted to support an object to be stenciled, a non-rotatable shaith-aving a longitu- .dinal boretherethrough disposed on said frame, a hub member disposed at .one .end of said sha-it,

a, radial slot in said hub member substantiallyV perpendicular .to the. longitudinal axis .of said stenciling base,r a wheel-like member rotatably' disposed on said shaft` in spaced relation to said hub member, `a plurality of stencil frames disposed radially about said Yhub member, said hub member :over-lapping .the inner ends of said stencil frames, said stencil frames being pivotally disposed on .the peripheral edge .of said Wheel- .lilre'memberand being rotatable therewith about said hub member, a non-rotatable rod `disposed `within y said longitudinal bore in said shaft being longitudinally movable therein, a disc-like ida-nge. disposed .on :the .end of said rod adjacent said luibmember and ,adapted .to normally rest .on said hubl member, and a lug on said disc-like flange normally projecting into said yslot iny said hubmember .and being substantially flush with the opposite side of said hub member, said slot being adapted to allow the inner end of any one of said Vstencil,frames to enter therein when said stencil frame is properly aligned with respect -tosaid slot, said inner ends of said stencil tra-mesA being-adapted to displace said lug in said slot whenpi tedl about the peripheral edge of said wlieel-lilieY member, said shaft being so positioned in relation to said stenciling base `that -saidstencil frames maybe moved individual- `l-y intocontact \.With yan object supported by said Ystenciling; base When properly aligned with Ysaid based, iand with said ,-slot, :said displacement of `said ,lug ycausing said disc-like iiange to move said rod' longitudinally 4in said shaft, `.and vmeans cooperating-With said lrod adapted to chanseth'e I position .of said stenciling base as said stencil frames are released from contact with said object.

4. A steneiling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a stenciling base movably disposed on said supporting frame, said stenciling base being adapted to support an object to be stenciled, a non-rotatable shaft having a longitudinal bore therethrough disposed on said frame,

a hub member disposed at one end of said shaft, a radial slot in said hub member substantially' perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said stenciling base, a wheel-like member rotatably disposed on said shaft in spaced relation to said hub member, a plurality of stencil frames disposed radially about said hub member, said huba member overlapping the inner ends of said stenlcil frames, said stencil frames being pivotally dis- .posed on the peripheral edge of said Wheel-like member and being rotatable therewith about said yhub member, a non-rotatable rod disposed With-i4 in said longitudinal bore in said shaft, being longitudinally movable therein, a disc-like flange disposed on the end of said rod adjacent said hub member and adapted to normally rest on said hub member, a lug on said disk-like flange normally projecting into said slot in said hub member and being substantially flush With the opposite side of said hub member, said slot being adapted to allow the inner end of each stencil frame to enter therein when each said stencil frame is` properly aligned With respect to said slot, said inner ends of said stencil frames being adapted to displace said lug in said slot When pivoted about the peripheral edge of said Wheel-like member,

said shaft being so positioned in relation to saldi 4stenciling base that said stencil frames may be shaft, a lever pivoted on said supporting frame adapted to cooperate With said rod, a supporting bar pivotally disposed on said supporting frame, a control member disposed on said supporting bar, a supporting arm on said supporting bar, an escapement member pivotally disposed on said arm, a second arm disposed on said escapement member adapted to cooperate with said lever, a series of spaced stop lugs on said stenciling base, and means normally urging said escapement member into contact with one of said stop members, said escapement member being adapted to be activated by the movement of said rod, lever, and second arm to allow one of said stop members to escape, said escapement member also being adapted to be moved out of contact entirely With said stop members by a movement of said control member, supporting bar, and supporting arm.`

5. A stenciling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a stenciling base movably disposed on said frame, a plurality of stencil frames movably disposed on said frame, said stencil frames being adapted to be moved individually at will into contact With an object supported by said stenciling base, a supporting bar pivotally disposed on said supporting frame, a control member disposed on said supporting bar, a supporting arm disposed on said support-v ing bar, a dog-supporting member` pivotally disposed on said supporting arm, a stationary dog disposed on said dog-supporting member, a second dog pivotally disposed on said dog-supporting member, a stop lug disposed on said dogsupporting member and adapted to limit the movement of said second dog, means urging said second dog toward said stop lug, a control arm disposed on said dog-supporting member adapted to cooperate with means connecting said arm to said stencil frames, and a series of stop members disposed on said stenciling base adapted to cooperate with said dogs.

6. In a stenciling apparatus of the character described, an escapement means comprising a pivotally disposed supporting bar, a control.

member adapted to cooperate with said supporting bar, a supporting arm disposed on said supporting bar, a dog-supporting member pivotally fdisposed on said supporting arm, a stationary dog disposed on said dog supporting member, a second dog pivotally disposed on said dog-supporting member is spaced relation to said stationary dog, a stop lug disposed on said dog-supporting member and adapted to limit the movement of said second dog, means urging said second dog toward said stop lug, and a control arm Y disposed on said dog-supporting member adapted to cause said member to move :in relation t0 said supporting arm.

'l'. In a stenciling apparatus of the character described having an escapement mechanism, a stencil frame assembly comprising a non-rotatable hollow shaft having a longitudinal bore therethrough, a hub member disposed on one end of said shaft, a radial slot in said hub member, a Wheel-like member rotatably disposed on said shaft in spaced relation to said hub member, a plurality of stencil frames radially disposed about said shaft, said hub member overlapping the inner ends of said stencil frames and said stencil frames being vpivotally disposed on the peripheral edge of said Wheel-like member and being rotatable with Said Wheel-like member about said hub member, a non-rotatable rod disposed Within said shaft being longitudinally movable therein, a disc-like flange disposed on the end of said rod adjacent said hub member, Said flange being adapted to normally rest on said hub member, and a lug on said discdke flange lnormally projecting into one side of said slot in lsaid hub member and being substantially fiush with the opposite side of said hub member, said slot being adapted to allow the inner end oi any one' of said stencil frames to enter therein when said stencil frame is rotated into substantial alignment with said slot and thereafter pivoted, said innerend of said stencil frame when so aligned and so pivoted being adapted to displace said lug in said slot which, in turn, causes said flange to be displaced, and said rod to move longitudinally within said shaft, such movement of said rod being adapted to actuate said escape ment mechanism.

8. In a stenciling apparatus of the character 4described having an escapement mechanism, a

`stencil frame assemblycomprising a non-rotat able shaft, ahub `member disposed on one end of said shaft, a-radial slot in said hub member,

a wheel-like member rotatably disposed on said shaft, a plurality of stencil frames radially disposed about said shaft, said hub member overlapping the `inner ends of said stencil frames Aand said stencil frames being pivotally disposed on said Wheel-like member and being rotatable with said wheel-like member about said hub member, means normally disposed in said slot adapted to be moved by the inner end of one of said stencil frames when said stencil frame is pivoted on said Wheel-like member, after hav- .ing been rotated into substantial alignment with 11 said slot, and means cooperating with said last named means adapted to move longitudinally Within said non-rotatable shaft and to operate said escapement mechanism.

V9. A steniciling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a stenciling base movably disposed on said supporting frame, said stenciling :base being adapted to support an object to be stenciled, a plurality of radially disposed stencil frames capable of rotation as a unit about a :central point, and means normally preventing movement of the stencil frames toward said stenciling base but permitting the individual pivoting of said stencil frames about a point intermediate their ends toward said stenciling base When said frames are individually moved into a predetermined position with relation to said stenciling base.

10. A stenciling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a stenciling base movably disposed on said supporting frame, said stenciling base being adapted to support an object to be stenciled, a plurality of radially disposed stencil frames capable of rotation as a unit about a central point, means normally preventing movement of the stencil frames toward said stenciling base but permitting the individual pivoting of said stencil frames about a point intermediate their ends toward said stencilin-g base when said frames are individually moved into a predetermined position with relation to said stenciling base, and means cooperating with each stencil frame so moved toward said stenciling base adapted to change the position of said stenciling base as said stencil frames are released from .contact with said object.

11. A stenciling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a stenciling fbase movably 'disposed on said supporting frame, said stenciling base being adapted to support an object to be stenciled, a plurality of radially disposed Stencil frames capable of rotation as a unit about a central point, means normally preventing movement of the stencil frames toward said stenciling base but permitting movement of each of said stencil frames, one at a time, toward said stenciling base when said frames are individually moved into a predetermined position with relation to said stenciling base, means cooperating `with each stencil frame so moved toward said stenciling base activating a lever pivoted on said supporting frame, a supporting bar pivotally disposed on said supporting frame, a control member disposed on said supporting bar, a supporting arm on said supporting bar, an escapement member pivotally adapted to be moved out of contact entirely with l,

said stop members by a movement of said control member, supporting bar and supporting arm.

l2. In a stencilin-g apparatus of the character described, the combination of a hub member having a radial slot therein, a plurality of removable stencil frames radially disposed aboutand overlapped by 'said hub member, and arotatable vcircular support member disposed in spaced relation to said hub member and forming `a fulcrum about which said stencil frames may be pivoted when respectively aligned with said slot.

13. `In a steniciling apparatus of the character described, the combination of a ilangedA sleeve,

said sleeve havinga radial slot in the flanged por- `tion thereof, a. rod 'slidably mounted in said sleeve, a flange on said rod adapted to normally abut the anged Yportion of said sleeve, a `plurality of removable stencil frames radially disposed about and overlapped by said flanged portion of said sleeve, .anda rotatable circular support member disposed in spaced relation to said sleeve and forming a fulcnum about which said stencil 4frames maybe Ypivoted when respectively aligned `with said slot.

`:14. In afstenciling apparatus of the character described having a `movable stenciling base, the combination of 'a flanged sleeve, said sleeve having a radial slot in the anged portion thereof, a rod slidably mounted in said sleeve, a -lange on'said rod adapted to normally abut the flanged portion of said sleeve, a plurality of removable stencil frames radially disposed labout and overlapped .'by said ilanged portion of said sleeve, and a rotatable circular support member disposed in spaced `relation to vsaid sleeve and forming a fulcrum about which each of said stencil frames 'when properly aligned with said slot is capable of being individually vpivoted so as to be moved into contact with said stenciling base and to simultaneouslv move said .rod longitudinally, and means cooperating with said rod adapted to change the position of said stenciling base.

l5, Ina stenciling apparatus of the character described having a movable Istenciling base, the combination of a hub member `hav-ing a radial slot therein, a plurality of removable stencil frames radially disposed about and overlapped by said hub member, a rotatable circular support member disposed in spaced relation to said hub member and forming a fulcrum about which each of `said stencil frames when aligned with said slot is capa-ble Vof being individually pivoted so as to be moved into contact with said stenciling base, and means cooperating with said stencil frames when so pivoted adapted to change the `position of said stenciling base.

H. RUSSELLFARWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 59,522 Flamm Nov. 6, 1866 64,252 Powers Apr. 30, 1867 119,537 Shiland s Oct. 3, 1871 612,892 Bradley Oct. 25, 1898 637,220 Wellington Nov. 14, 1899 1,064,372 Petermann June 10, 1913 1,256,333 Kvistad Feb. 12, 1918 1,529,478 Frisch Mar. 10, 1925 1,896,877 Wolfe, Jr Feb. 7, 1933 

